Patents Assigned to Textron
-
Patent number: 12291917Abstract: A door management system on an aircraft includes a fuselage extending along a longitudinal axis in a fore-aft direction parallel to forward flight, an opening in a sidewall of the fuselage, a door mounted on the sidewall to slide in the fore-aft direction between a closed position covering the opening and an open position revealing the opening, a cable attached to the fuselage and the door and a speed governor operatively coupled to the cable to limit a velocity of the door as it moves between the open position and the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2023Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: John Robert Wittmaak, Jr., Michael Rinehart
-
Patent number: 12291354Abstract: In an embodiment, an aircraft includes an actuator and a flight control computer interfaced with the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2023Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Clifton Lee Harrell
-
Patent number: 12291326Abstract: A rotorcraft has a drive system including a main rotor coupled to a main rotor gearbox to rotate the main rotor at a rotor speed, a main engine coupled to the drive system to provide a first power, a supplemental engine coupled, when a first clutch is engaged, to the drive system to provide a second power additive to the first power, and a control system operable to control the main engine and the supplemental engine to provide a total power demand, where the main engine is controlled based on variations in rotor speed and a power compensation command to produce the first power, and the supplemental engine is controlled to produce the second power in response to a supplemental power demand.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2023Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Charles Eric Covington, Chia-Wei Su, Darren Gregory Lang, Thomas Parsons, Cody Earl Fegely
-
Patent number: 12288424Abstract: One embodiment is a system including a component for installation on a vehicle comprising a central maintenance computer (“CMC”); a configuration/maintenance module (“CMM”) associated with the component and including memory for storing component information, a sensor for detecting a condition and generating data indicative thereof; a microprocessor for processing the sensor data and updating the component information with the processing results; and a communications interface between the CMM and the CMC. The system further includes a remaining useful life (“RUL”) module associated with the component that periodically updates an RUL, the RUL module periodically updating an RUL value for the component and communicating the updated RUL value to the CMM for storage in the memory. The CMC communicates with the CMM to update the component information included in the memory based on information input to the CMC by a user or changes in a condition of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2021Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Brian Tucker
-
Patent number: 12287180Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle ceiling, a vehicle floor, and a vehicle seat assembly that couples with the vehicle ceiling and the vehicle floor. The vehicle seat assembly includes a seat support that supports a vehicle seat from the vehicle ceiling, a base that forms a slip joint with the seat support from the vehicle floor, and a set of limit straps constructed and arranged to limit deflection of the slip joint in response to deformation between the vehicle ceiling and the vehicle floor (e.g., a vehicle collision, deformation between the vehicle ceiling and the vehicle floor possibly due to a blast, etc.). Each limit strap of the set of limit straps has a first end that attaches to a portion of the slip joint and a second end that attaches to the vehicle floor.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2022Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: Textron Systems CorporationInventors: Wyatt Coleman Huling, Jr., Giovanni Eduardo Sequeira
-
Patent number: 12283677Abstract: A battery housing assembly includes a battery housing which encloses an interior for receiving a plurality of battery cells. A heat transfer device which has an inlet, an outlet, and at least one fluid channel arranged fluidically therebetween. The fluid flows through the heat transfer device from the inlet to the outlet via the at least one fluid channel that is arranged in the interior. A contact side of the channel is pressed against at least one contact element to the battery cells in order to transfer heat. At least one expansion element, as a result of the fluid in the heat transfer device being pressurized, expands in order to press the at least one fluid channel against the at least one contact element by bracing against a bracing surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2020Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignee: KAUTEX TEXTRON GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Felix Haas, Moritz Lipperheide, Georg Enkirch
-
Patent number: 12280865Abstract: A window roller shade and dimming pane assembly includes a rigid frame having a first side member on a first side and a second side member on a second side opposite the first side. An outer pane and an inner pane are disposed within the rigid frame with a gap between the outer pane and the inner pane. A roller shade includes a motor for rolling and unrolling the roller shade. A first constant force spring and a second constant force spring are each configured to pull the roller shade downwardly through the gap while the motor is unrolling the roller shade. A dimming film is disposed on the inner pane for dimming light through the inner pane. A window interface is operatively coupled to the inner pane for receiving touch input for controlling the dimming film and the roller shade.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2023Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Lynn Headrick, Joshua Lawrence Bell
-
Patent number: 12280866Abstract: A pneumo-mechanical landing gear deployment system includes a dual-stage handle operatively connected to a pressurized tank, a nose landing gear pneumatically connected to the pressurized tank, and a main landing gear pneumatically connected to the pressurized tank. Actuation of the dual-stage handle to a first position opens the pressurized tank thereby deploying the nose landing gear. Actuation of the dual-stage handle to a second position causes further opening of the pressurized tank thereby deploying the main landing gear. The system may be employed as a backup landing gear deployment system in the case of a primary landing gear system failure.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2023Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Donald Edward Hill, Michael R. DePinto, Matthew J. Allmond, Michael Troy Heeren, Dennis Scarberry
-
Publication number: 20250121926Abstract: An aircraft is described and includes a fuselage; wings attached to the fuselage; and a torque box within the fuselage, the torque box including a side panel, the side panel comprising a composite laminate material including a plurality of stiffening beads integrated therewith. The plurality of stiffening beads may be integrated with the side panel and extend parallel to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2024Publication date: April 17, 2025Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Charles David Hogue, James Everett Kooiman, Joseph Richard Carpenter, JR., David G. Carlson, Jonathan Alexander Freeman
-
Publication number: 20250113768Abstract: One embodiment is a control system for a vehicle comprising a plurality of wheels, the control system comprising a master control unit (MCU); a plurality of traction systems corresponding to the wheels; and a plurality of rolling radius offset values stored in a memory device of the MCU and each corresponding to one of the wheels. The MCU determines for each wheel a command speed based on the rolling radius offset value for the wheel in combination with a tire diameter of the wheel, a steered angle of the vehicle, a traction pedal command, and vehicle geometry information, and provides the determined command speed for the wheel to the corresponding traction system, which controls a speed of the wheel based on the determined command speed received from the MCU.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2023Publication date: April 10, 2025Applicants: Textron Inc., Marlin Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William Christopher Dickson, Brian Richard Bertolasi
-
Patent number: 12270467Abstract: An off-highway recreational vehicle includes side-by-side passenger and driver seats held within a chassis. The seats sit low in the chassis and are covered by a roll-over protection system (ROPS). The vehicle is powered by an engine rearward of the seats that utilizes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to provide power to the ground engaging members, wherein the CVT is cooled via air captured by a CVT intake body located adjacent the driver-side seat, between the frame and external panels of the utility vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2022Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: Textron Inc.Inventors: Hunter Davis, Nathan Lundstrom, Logan Bastian, Stephen Deck, Judson Houston, Russell Conine, Deanna Mock, John Stocks, David Horne, Matthew Fields
-
Patent number: 12263946Abstract: An overhead bin in an aircraft includes a liner disposed on an underside of a cabin ceiling and a receptacle that protrudes through an opening in the liner. A bin has a top side with at least one attachment point that includes: a stud mechanically coupled to the top side and a screw disposed within the stud. The stud includes a rounded flange configured to insert into the receptacle for removably securing the bin beneath the liner. An installation method for an overhead bin in an aircraft includes raising the overhead bin to engage the stud with the receptacle, sliding the overhead bin outboard for inserting the stud into the receptacle, and turning a screw within the stud for tightening the stud within the receptacle for securing the overhead bin beneath the ceiling.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2022Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Nathan Earl Esau, Jonathan Lynn Headrick
-
Patent number: 12264518Abstract: An escape hatch stay system for an aircraft and methods of using the escape hatch stay system. An escape hatch stay system includes a first stop arm, a second stop arm, and a gas strut. The first stop arm is rotatably coupled to the second stop arm, and the second stop arm is pivotably coupled to the gas strut. The first and second stop arms are lockable to preclude relative movement therebetween to lock the escape hatch in an open position. When the escape hatch is in the open position, the escape hatch may not be closed shut without manual intervention. When the escape hatch is in the open position, a load applicable to push the escape hatch open past the open position is damped by the gas strut.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2023Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Michael Clinton Lay, Evan M. Johnson, Isaac Anthony Hoetmer, Joel Allen Pegg, Edward Donald Harrison
-
Publication number: 20250100680Abstract: An aircraft that has a blade position control system (BPCS). The BPCS includes an actuator, a multilobe component configured for at least one of longitudinal movement along a mast axis as a function of actuation of the actuator and rotational movement relative to the mast axis as a function of actuation of the actuator. Movement of the multilobe component selectively restricts at least one of pitch movement and folding of a plurality of rotor blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Lancer Drake Halcom, Kyle Thomas Cravener
-
Publication number: 20250100674Abstract: A rotor-blade assembly has a lock system to enable and disable a folding degree of freedom and a pitching degree of freedom of a rotor blade. A grip couples a blade to a hub, the blade being pivotable about a fold axis relative to the grip, the blade and grip being pivotable together about a pitch axis relative to the hub. A fold lock prevents folding of the blade in a fold-lock position and allows folding of the rotor blade in a pitch-lock position, and a pitch lock allows pitch movement of the rotor blade in a fold-lock position and prevents pitch movement of the rotor blade in the pitch-lock position. A rotary actuator carried by the grip has actuator arms coupled through linkage to the pitch lock and fold lock, and the actuator is configured for moving the pitch lock and fold lock between the fold-lock and pitch-lock positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Kyle Cravener, Andrew Harloff, Lancer Drake Halcom, Andrew Maresh
-
Patent number: 12261511Abstract: A technique for generating electrical power from an engine in an aerial vehicle includes providing an alternator disk structure (ADS) between the engine and a propeller of the vehicle. The ADS is disposed concentrically with an engine drive shaft that drives the propeller and includes at least two concentric regions, a first region having a stator and a second region having a rotor. The first region is rotationally fixed relative to the engine, and the second region is coupled to a drive shaft of the engine. As the engine rotates the drive shaft, the rotor disposed in the second region spins concentrically relative to the stator disposed in the first region, thereby inducing electrical current in windings of the stator. The rotor and the stator thus work together to generate electrical power, which may be conveyed from the stator to electrical subsystems and controls of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2022Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventor: Michael Glynn Glucksman
-
Publication number: 20250083081Abstract: Passive dehumidifiers for environmental control units (ECUs) are presented. In embodiments, the passive dehumidifier may include a plenum with an intake to receive an airflow with moisture (e.g., water droplets, water vapor, etc.) present. Upon entering the passive dehumidifier, the airflow may experience a reduction in inertia and a change from a first direction to a second direction. The directional change may be sharp enough (e.g., greater than 90 degrees) that the moisture in the airflow are not able to follow the airflow and are instead directed to impinge and be collected on a collector wall, which may include one or more hydrophilic surfaces facilitating the impinged water droplets to form a liquid film upon impact on the collector wall. The film may collapse due to gravity and may be drained out through and/or on a hydrophilic screen mesh (e.g., hydrophilic screen mesh surface) on the collector wall surface(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2023Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: Textron Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Robert Herkimer, Shahryar Fotovati, William R. Johnson, Gary J. Coleman, JR.
-
Publication number: 20250083754Abstract: A ground support tractor for providing ground support services at an airport. The ground support tractor has a cab forward configuration and a cab aft configuration. The ground support tractor includes a common chassis having a forward mounting location and an aft mounting location. A drivetrain and a battery system are coupled to the common chassis. In the cab forward configuration of the ground support tractor, the battery system is coupled to the aft mounting location and positioned above the drivetrain. In the cab aft configuration of the ground support tractor, the battery system is coupled to the forward mounting location and positioned forward of the drivetrain.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2024Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: Textron Ground Support Equipment Inc.Inventors: Kevin Michael Ayotte, Micael David Ekstrom, Evan Luke Kellams, Soulaxay NMN Phommavongsa
-
Patent number: D1069434Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Allan Dale Schrag, Torin Alexander De Joy, Lydia P. Pierce, Matthew William Reese, Adam Brickman, John Hladik
-
Patent number: D1073579Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2023Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS, INC.Inventors: Bryan C. Hinson, Corey W. Hagemeister, Kelly R Laflin, Gonzalo Mendoza